- Muslim Kambohs in sports
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The Kamboh population of Pakistan, though minuscule compared to several other tribes in that country, have contributed considerably in sports such as field hockey, football (soccer), volleyball, wrestling, and others. This article lists and briefly describes some well known Kamboh (Kamboj) athletes from Pakistan who have made a mark in the sports. The list includes the following names and may be extended.
Gulam Rasool Chaudhury Kamboh
Gulam Rasool Chaudhury Kamboh was famous educationist of Pakistan as well as a world renowned Hockey Olympian. He belonged to a well known Muslim Kamboh (Kamboj) family of Pakistan, originally hailing from Faislabad District of Pakistan formerly known as Lyallpur, but later settled in Lahore.
Education and career
Gulam Rasool did his M.Sc. in Agriculture from Faislabad University, Faislabad (Punjab) with first position in the University. He started his career as a lecturer in Echison College Lahore but soon joined Rehabilitation Department where he worked as Deputy Settlement Commissioner. Later, he joined the Kansas University of USA and did Ph.D in within three years and returned to Pakistan to join as Principal of Echison College Lahore. Later, he was appointed Vice Chancellor, Faislabad University, Faislabad for three years. Thereafter, he joined Punjab Agriculture Development Corporation as a Managing Director. This was followed by his appointment as Secretary of Punjab Animal Care Department, Pakistan. He finally retired as Secretary, Agriculture Department. During all these years, Dr Rasool also represented Pakistan in numerous International Conferences, Seminars and Delegations. Dr Rasool was also the Honorary Secretary of Pakistan Association of Science and was the first Asian ever to get the International Alumani Medallion. He was conferred the 'Pride of Performance Award' title by President of Pakistan. Besides above achievements and assignments, Dr Rasool had also stamped his mark as one of the most outstanding International Hockey players of the world.
As a Sportsman
Dr Rasool, in his college days was the captain of university hockey team and won inter-university tournament championships. Later he was included in the National Hockey team and played many international matches for Pakistan. He represented Pakistan Hockey team in Melbourne Olympics, Australia in 1956 where his team got the silver medal. Two years later, he represented Pakistan in Asian Games Hockey held in Tokyo in 1958 and gain got the silver medal. In 1960, Dr Rasool captained Pakistan Hockey team in Rome Olympics and won gold medal for Pakistan by defeating its arch-rival India in the finals. In 1962, Dr Rasool again was the captain of the Pakistan Hockey team which participated in Asian Games Hockey held in Jakarta. He once more led his team to victory and won gold medal for Pakistan by defeating India in the finals. After retirement from active hockey, Dr Rasool was appointed first as Secretary and later as President of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). He also the Selection Committee chairman.
Dr Rasool died in 1991. One of Dr Rasool's son, Rasool Akhtar Kamboh is also a world renowned Hockey player who skippered Pakistani Hockey team in the 1982 World Cup competition and won gold medal for Pakistan by defeating India in the finals. Rasool Akhtar also remained the President of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).
Arshad Chaudhury Kamboh
Arshad Chaudhury Kamboh is one of the outstanding international hockey players from Pakistan. He belongs to Faislabad District of Punjab, Pakistan (formerly Lyallpur). His father's name is Chaudhury Sadik Salar. Arshad is nephew of the world renowned Hockey Olympian Dr Gulam Rasool Chaudhury Kamboh.
Arshad completed his B.A. from Government College Faislabad where he was also captain of college hockey team. In 1971, Arshad joined Government College Lahore, then was appointed captain of Punjab University Hockey team which won inter-university championship. He completed his M.A. in History in 1973.
From 1971 till 1977, Arshad had participated in 55 International Hockey matches the world over out of which Pakistan won 50 and was drawn in other five. Arshad won three Gold, two Silver and one Bronze Medals in these International Hockey competitions.
Arshad belongs to Kamboh (Kamboj) tribe of Pakistani Punjab.
Rasool Akhtar Kamboh
Rasool Akhtar Kamboh is a world renowned Hockey Olympian from Pakistan. He belongs to Kamboh (Kamboj) tribe hailing from Faislabad District of Pakistan, formerly known as Lyallpur. He is son of Dr Gulam Rasool Chaudhury Kamboh who himself was a world renowned Hockey Olympian.
As a Sportsman
Rasool Akhtar graduated from Government College Lahore and was the captain of the College Hockey team. He was awarded "Roll of Honor" and "College Color" for his excellent performance in the hockey game. He was noted for his clean style play and superior performance and was accordingly included in the Pakistan Hockey team. Over the years, Rasool Akhtar skippered and played numerous national and international hockey matches and displayed his superior skills for the game. In 1982, he skippered Pakistani Hockey team for the World Cup Competition and won gold medal for Pakistan by defeating India in the finals.
Rasool Akhtar retired from active Hockey after 1982. He held the office of President, Punjab Sports Board; President, Punjabi Hockey Association; and President, Punjab Athletics Association.
Like his father Dr. Gulam Rasool Chaudhury, Rasool Akhtar also remained for a while the President of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).
In Active Politics
After retirement from active hockey, Rasool Akhtar entered politics in 1985. He contested as an independent and was elected M.L.A to Punjab Assembly. In 1986, he became Excise and Taxation Minister of Punjab. In 1988, he was elected from P.P 128 Ichhra on Islami Jamhuri Mujahid ticket and became the Sports Minister of Punjab. In 1990, he again contested on Islami Jamhuri Mujahid ticket and was elected M.L.A. with a big margin. In 1993, he contested Parliament seat on Muslim League[disambiguation needed
] ticket and became M.P.A.Rasool Akhtar had been a very close associate of Nawaz Sharif, former Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Chaudhury Sadakat Ali Kamboh
He is son of Chaudhury Khushi Mohammad who originally belonged to Sultanpur Lodhi. The family migrated to Pakistan in 1947. Sadakat is a well known foot ball player of Pakistan. He was captain of the football team of Government college Lahore. He participated in national football championship in 1970. He represented Pakistani football team and played football matches in Tehran (Iran), Bangkok and several cities of China. He completed his BA from Government college Lahore and later joined the Punjab Police. He has been Assistant DIG (Deputy Inspector General) Police.
Mohammad Jahangir Kamboh
Mohammad Jahangir Kamboh is the first Pakistani to win black ballet, both in Judo as well as in Karate in Japan and has won gold medal in South Asian Judo championship. He has earned several gold and silver medals since 1977. Jahangir won three gold medals in succession in Judo championship and thus has earned the triple crown championship title.
Abdul Latif Kamboh
He is a famous football player of Pakistan and was connected with the Railway Department of the Government of Pakistan. The discus throw and Shot put records established by him have not yet been surpassed in Pakistan. Abdul belongs to Chak 273 (Rakh Branch), Rai Chak, District Faislabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
Nazir Ahmad Kamboh
Nazir Ahmad Kamboh has been a coach of Pakistani Railway Football team. He has been a famous player and athlete of Pakistan.
Mohammad Rafiq Kamboh
Mohammad Rafiq Kamboh has represented Pakistan in several international volleyball tournaments. He is also international referee and coach of national volleyball team of Pakistan.
Mohammad Asif Kamboh
Mohammad Asif Kamboh has been a good football (soccer) player who played many football matches at national level in Pakistan and earned a good reputation as a football player. He is silver medal holder in football games.
Chaudhury Khushi Mohammad Kamboh
Chaudhury Khushi Mohammad was reputed volleyball player as well as a referee and coach of the national volleyball team of Pakistan.
Kamboh wrestlers
A few famous names which come to mind are Rustam-e-Hind Chanan Din Kamboh, Pahlwan Fazal Din Faija s/o Chaudhury Mohammad Shafi (Lahori), Pahlwan Maula Bakhsh (Lahori) and Pahlwan Ustad Mela etc. etc.
Cricketers
There was a cricket team in Ichhra Lahore, named Kamboh Cricket Club. There were many good players who play for Kamboh Cricket Club especially the name of Majeed Akhtar Chaudhary who play first class cricket for Pakistan Air Force.
Kamboh Cricket Club at Ichhra Lahore, Mohammad Naseem also known as Chacha Naseem in Ichhra was the founder and play a key role for establish Kamboh Cricket Club.
See also
Categories:- Kamboj
- Pakistani sportspeople
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